In the Free Practice, YAMAHA RACING TEAM topped the timesheets with a 2:04.720 lap. Honda HRC followed in fourth with a 2:06.377. SDG Team HARC-PRO. Honda (Teppei Nagoe, Yuki Kunii, Keito Abe) placed seventh at 2:06.972, while Astemo Pro Honda SI Racing (Kohta Nozane, Kohta Arakawa, Ryusei Yamanaka) recorded a time of 2:07.359 for eighth. Team ATJ with docomo business (Satoru Iwata, Kouki Suzuki, Takuma Kunimine) came in 12th with a 2:08.104. F.C.C. TSR Honda France (Alan Techer, Corentin Perolari, Taiga Hada) placed 13th with a 2:08.358, and Honda Asia-Dream Racing with Astemo (Nakarin Atiratphuvapat, Azroy Hakeem Anuar, Md Zaqhwan Bin Zaidi) was 15th at 2:08.895. Each team used the session for their final tuning ahead of Sunday’s race.
In the afternoon, the Top 10 Trial was held, featuring the two nominated riders from each of the top 10 teams from Friday’s timed qualifying sessions. Each rider completed a solo flying lap, with the fastest time between the two riders determining the team’s starting grid position. Teams ranked 11th and below retained their positions from timed qualifying sessions.
The first rider on track was Suzuki from Team ATJ with docomo business, who had qualified 10th. This was his Top 10 Trial debut, and he clocked a 2:07.575. Next, Abe of SDG Team HARC-PRO. Honda posted a 2:06.853, followed by Nozane of Astemo Pro Honda SI Racing, who recorded a 2:06.713. Then, Iwata of Team ATJ with docomo business recorded a 2:06.331, moving past Nozane to claim provisional third place.
Kunii of SDG Team HARC-PRO. Honda delivered a strong lap of 2:05.477, jumping to the top of the leaderboard and setting the benchmark time. Yamanaka of Astemo Pro Honda SI Racing followed with a 2:06.581, slotting into 5th. With this, the teams from 10th through 6th in qualifying had completed their runs, and attention turned to the top-qualifying teams.
Honda HRC, which had topped qualifying, saw Takahashi lay down a fast 2:05.223, overtaking Kunii for the top spot. However, Andrea Locatelli (Yamaha) soon posted a stunning 2:04.316 to seize the lead. BMW’s Naomichi Uramoto followed with a 2:05.001, pushing Takahashi down to third.
All eyes were then on the final rider, Johann Zarco. Fans, officials, and team staff held their breath as Zarco launched his attack. He delivered an electrifying lap of 2:04.290, taking over the top position and securing pole for Honda HRC. Cheers erupted in the pit lane as Takahashi welcomed Zarco back with a big smile.
Among the Honda teams that competed in the Top 10 Trial, Honda HRC will start from pole, while SDG Team HARC-PRO. Honda will start 4th, Team ATJ with docomo business 9th, and Astemo Pro Honda SI Racing 10th for Sunday’s race.
Takumi Takahashi
30
Honda HRC
Zarco set the pole position time for us, and it was an even better result than we had expected. It gave me a really positive feeling about the condition of the bike as well. I think this also lifted the team’s morale. We’ve been working closely together on the bike this year, so I believe we’re now getting the most out of Zarco’s potential. I’ve also been able to set good lap times on race tyres. We’ll work as a team with the staff to aim for our fourth consecutive win.
Zarco set the pole position time for us, and it was an even better result than we had expected. It gave me a really positive feeling about the condition of the bike as well. I think this also lifted the team’s morale. We’ve been working closely together on the bike this year, so I believe we’re now getting the most out of Zarco’s potential. I’ve also been able to set good lap times on race tyres. We’ll work as a team with the staff to aim for our fourth consecutive win.
Johann Zarco
30
Honda HRC
I didn’t think I’d be able to post such a lap time myself, so this was a great surprise in the best way. I’m really happy to have delivered such a gift to Takumi (Takahashi), who will be starting the race. We’ll be starting from pole position, and our goal is nothing less than victory.
I didn’t think I’d be able to post such a lap time myself, so this was a great surprise in the best way. I’m really happy to have delivered such a gift to Takumi (Takahashi), who will be starting the race. We’ll be starting from pole position, and our goal is nothing less than victory.
Teppei Nagoe
73
SDG Team HARC-PRO. Honda
I didn’t ride in the Top 10 Trial, but both of my teammates put in fantastic laps, so I feel confident heading into the race. In the earlier free practice, we checked a few final items for the race, and everything is going smoothly. I want all of us to strongly complete the full 8 hours and stand on the podium.
I didn’t ride in the Top 10 Trial, but both of my teammates put in fantastic laps, so I feel confident heading into the race. In the earlier free practice, we checked a few final items for the race, and everything is going smoothly. I want all of us to strongly complete the full 8 hours and stand on the podium.
Yuki Kunii
73
SDG Team HARC-PRO. Honda
Until the crash in Q2, I had been running at a good pace, and if I had finished that session, I think I would’ve clocked a solid time. The Top 10 Trial is a one-shot challenge, and I definitely felt the pressure—but I managed to pull the lap together, so I’m relieved. All three of us have good average pace, and I think we’re in a position to fight. The factory teams are fast, but if anything happens, we’ll be right there to seize the opportunity. I want us to finish this race on the podium.
Until the crash in Q2, I had been running at a good pace, and if I had finished that session, I think I would’ve clocked a solid time. The Top 10 Trial is a one-shot challenge, and I definitely felt the pressure—but I managed to pull the lap together, so I’m relieved. All three of us have good average pace, and I think we’re in a position to fight. The factory teams are fast, but if anything happens, we’ll be right there to seize the opportunity. I want us to finish this race on the podium.
Keito Abe
73
SDG Team HARC-PRO. Honda
I knew Kunii would be the one to set the team’s best time, so I was allowed to run the lap in my own way. I chose to go with a lighter fuel load, but that ended up upsetting the bike’s balance, and I couldn’t improve my time—which is really frustrating. Still, getting the chance to ride in the Top 10 Trial for the first time and experience that moment firsthand was incredibly valuable. It’s an experience that will definitely help me in the future.
I knew Kunii would be the one to set the team’s best time, so I was allowed to run the lap in my own way. I chose to go with a lighter fuel load, but that ended up upsetting the bike’s balance, and I couldn’t improve my time—which is really frustrating. Still, getting the chance to ride in the Top 10 Trial for the first time and experience that moment firsthand was incredibly valuable. It’s an experience that will definitely help me in the future.